SINGAPORE, Aug. 06, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ASLAN Pharmaceuticals Pte Ltd (NASDAQ:ASLN, TPEx:6497), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company targeting cancers that are both highly prevalent in Asia and orphan indications in the United States and Europe, today reported financial results for the quarter ended 30 June 2018 and provided an update on its clinical activities.

Dr Carl Firth, Chief Executive Officer, ASLAN Pharmaceuticals, said: “Our successful financing and listing on NASDAQ during the second quarter places us in a strong financial position to accelerate the development of our pipeline of candidates that address unmet medical needs. We are preparing to initiate a phase 1 trial for ASLAN004 for the treatment of atopic dermatitis.The focus is on achieving our milestones, and we look forward to sharing new data from our global late-stage clinical trials for varlitinib later this year.”

Second quarter 2018 and recent business highlights

Completed successful IPO in the US that raised gross proceeds of US$42.2 million and began trading on NASDAQ in May 2018

Presented study design of ongoing global pivotal clinical trial of varlitinib, the TREatmEnT OPPortunity (TREETOPP) study, at the 2018 American Society of Clinical Oncology Meeting in June. Study on track to report topline data in 2019

Presented new phase 1b data on varlitinib in combination with paclitaxel in advanced solid tumours at the 2018 American Society of Clinical Oncology Meeting

Topline China pivotal trial data on varlitinib as second line treatment for biliary tract cancer in late 2018

Topline global phase 2 data on varlitinib in gastric cancer in second half of 2018

Interim phase 1/2 data on varlitinib as first line treatment for biliary tract cancer in late 2018

Interim phase 2 data on ASLAN003 in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) in second half of 2018

Topline global pivotal trial (TREETOPP) data on varlitinib as second line treatment for biliary tract cancer in 2019

Second quarter 2018 financial highlights

Cash used in operations for the quarter ended 30 June 2018 was US$10.0 million compared to US$9.0 million in the same period in 2017

Research and development expense was US$8.3 million and general and administrative expense was US$3.1 million for the second quarter of 2018, compared to US$7.0 million and US$1.9 million respectively in the same period in 2017

Staggered upfront payments of US$12 million in the first quarter and US$11 million in the second quarter of 2018 to Array BioPharma for full exclusive global rights of varlitinib were recorded as intangible assets

Net loss for the second quarter of 2018 was US$11.0 million compared to a net loss of US$9.2 million for the second quarter of 2017

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments totaled US$45.0 million as of 30 June 2018, which includes proceeds from the US public offering completed in May 2018, compared to US$69.7 million as of 30 June 2017

ASLAN Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:ASLN, TPEx:6497) is a clinical-stage oncology-focused biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics for global markets. ASLAN targets diseases that are both highly prevalent in Asia and orphan indications in the United States and Europe. Led by a senior management team with extensive experience in global and regional development and commercialisation, ASLAN is headquartered in Singapore and has offices in Taiwan and China. ASLAN’s portfolio is comprised of four product candidates which target validated growth pathways applied to new patient segments, novel immune checkpoints and novel cancer metabolic pathways. ASLAN’s partners include Array BioPharma, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Almirall and CSL. For additional information please visit www.aslanpharma.com.

Forward looking statements

This release and the accompanying financial information contains forward-looking statements. These statements are based on the current beliefs and expectations of the management of ASLAN Pharmaceuticals Limited and/or its affiliates (the "Company"). These forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company’s business strategy, the Company’s plans to develop and commercialize its product candidates, the safety and efficacy of the Company’s product candidates, the Company’s plans and expected timing with respect to regulatory filings and approvals, and the size and growth potential of the markets for the Company’s product candidates. The Company’s estimates, projections and other forward-looking statements are based on management's current assumptions and expectations of future events and trends, which affect or may affect the Company’s business, strategy, operations or financial performance, and inherently involve significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation the risk factors described in the Company’s U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings and reports (Commission File No. 001-38475), including the Company’s prospectus dated May 8, 2018 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on such date.

All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. The words “believe,” “may,” “might,” “could,” “will,” “aim,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “plan,” or the negative of those terms, and similar expressions that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes are intended to identify estimates, projections and other forward-looking statements. Estimates, projections and other forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they were made, and, except to the extent required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update or review any estimate, projection or forward-looking statement.